Car Accidents in Hapeville

Our office located in Hapeville caters to clients who have been injured in automobile accidents. Like all personal injury claims, making a successful claim for injuries sustained in a car accident requires a showing that the other driver was negligent and that his or her negligence caused you to suffer from injuries and other losses. There are several key elements in the handling of a personal injury case that arises from a car accident.

Medical Treatment

One of the first things you need to do if you are injured in a car accident is to seek medical treatment. If you are visibly and severely injured at the scene of the accident, then you need to be transported by ambulance to the emergency room for a full evaluation. Often, victims of car accidents do not feel hurt until the next day, especially when the injuries are neck and back injuries. If this happens to you, then you need to schedule a consultation with your primary doctor or go to an urgent care center immediately.

In addition to ensuring that you heal from your injuries, obtaining medical treatment is imperative for presenting your claim and obtaining compensation. Medical providers are able to explain how you sustained the injury and also keep records about your injury, level of pain, diagnosis, treatment plan, and cost of treatment. All of this information supports your personal injury claim.

Investigation

Investigating the surrounding circumstances of a car accident, how it occurred, and how it hurt you is also important in presenting your injury case. One of the easiest ways to get a summary of the events is to obtain the police report of the accident. The police report lists the parties involved, the make and models of their vehicles, the names of passengers, the names of witnesses, where and when the accident occurred, the insurance companies for each vehicle, the extent of the property damages to the vehicles, whether anyone was visibly hurt or transported by ambulance, and whether any citations were issued to the drivers.

The police report is a good starting point, as it will enable an attorney to call witnesses, set up insurance claims, obtain 911 calls, and photograph the scene of the wreck. If any citations were issued, a prudent attorney would obtain the disposition of the ticket. Big car or truck accidents could require an expert such as an accident reconstructionist to assess how the accident happened.

Insurance Information

Most drivers have automobile insurance that covers bodily injuries that are sustained in automobile accidents. Under Georgia law, such insurance information, namely the insurance policy limits and coverage, is required to be disclosed upon specific request as outlined by the law. Getting this insurance coverage information from both the at-fault driver(s) and the plaintiff is important in assessing the claim.

Filing a Lawsuit

Although filing a lawsuit is not always necessary to resolve a personal injury claim from a car accident, if you need to file a lawsuit, then you must do it within the two-year statute of limitations for personal injury in Georgia. Filing a lawsuit is a complex process, so hiring an attorney is probably wise on the part of the injured party. Most of the time, the at-fault driver has insurance, and the insurance company defends the lawsuit on his or her behalf.

As you can see, bringing a claim for injuries that you have sustained in a car accident can be complex. If you or a family member is looking for a car accident lawyer in the Hapeville, East Point, College Park, or any of the surrounding south Atlanta areas, call us today at (404) 593-2620 to meet with an attorney.